Question about I-864

[Master Semaj 2]

I have a question regarding the filing of this form and would also like to know some of your personal experiences.

I have my (now) wife filing the form to support me, she has a good paying job and exceeds the poverty guidelines. Along side this, her mother has filled out a form to act as a co-sponsor. She too surpasses the poverty guidelines and offered her support in a "just in case" kind of way.

Now obviously my wife is the primary supporter and she already qualifies. What would USCIS typically do if we sent along the co sponsor forms as well? Would they still file it or would it be deemed unnecessary and not be filed? And have any of you done something similar? What were your experiences?

Also, the form filled in by her mother was done back in October 2013, would it still be valid to send or would we need to re do it?

[Lynkali 163]

I understand the urge for caution (I did the same for our K-1 interview financials) but ... if your wife exceeds the poverty guidelines and you have the documentation to prove that, then why send the co-sponsor forms at all?

Worst case: they deem your wife's support inadequate, and they send you a RFE for more info/co-sponsor. At that point you could submit the co-sponsor forms and have at most a week or two delay. I'd go with holding them in reserve and not sending them in unless they ask.

[Zedayn 485]

More than likely they will send the excess forms from your co-sponsor back to you as they are not needed. From my previous experience, I had submitted to the embassy my I-134, and a co-sponsor. My income was just enough above poverty guidelines. The embassy handed me back my co-sponsor's I-134--it wasn't needed.

Bottom line, if your income meets or exceeds the poverty guidelines, even by $1, you do not need a co-sponsor.

[Master Semaj 2]

Thats great, thank you for your help. I have another question that has just arisen.

I have tax transcripts and ample supporting documentation to go with my wife's affidavit. However, they are all in her maiden name, as they are the most recent transcripts and filings but were before we got married and she changed her name. Her work contract and transcripts are all in her maiden name.

Is this going to be a problem?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

They get a lot of newly married people. They will understand it is her maiden name.

On your earlier question, I wouldn't send joint sponsor paper documentation. It will just clutter up the application and is not needed. Keep it simple so they can easily find what they need for approval.

[rrdc 1]

No worries about her using the married name. They deal with it everyday so they know what to do and they understand.

Regarding the co-sponsor i suggest not to do it unless they ask. Since your wife passed the poverty guidelines there will be no problem.

[KayDeeCee 4,896]

Joint sponsor is not needed. No reason to complicate matters by adding additional, unnecessary documentation. Just include the most recent tax transcript, letter from employer and most recent pay stubs to prove current income meets the requirement.

[Master Semaj 2]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. Yeah we will just send my wifes support documents in. All that's left now is to write up this big check. My wallet is already crying in pain lol